When choosing a budget-friendly DSLR, please carefully consider how you plan to use it. If still images are what you're after, Nikon's offerings should be at the top of your list. Sony and Canon, on the other hand, cut a fine balance between image and video quality.

Pentax DSLRs deserve your attention if you're looking for a camera that can handle rain, snow, and moisture. A limited number of lenses to choose from after your purchase are their most notable downside, however.

Because we're focusing on budget-friendly DSLR cameras, all entries in this list have an APS-C sensor (full-frame DSLRs are considerably more expensive). Prices include a camera body and a basic kit lens.

1
Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera

One of the best DSLR bargains around, the Canon EOS Rebel T6 features an 18 MP sensor, 3-inch display,Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless image transfers, and the capability to capture quality 1080p video at 30 fps. An excellent automatic mode and a rich selection of available lenses make the T6 a great starter DSLR.

2
Pentax K-70 DSLR Camera

The Pentax K-70 is an enticing alternative to the mainstream offerings by Canon and Nikon with a weather-resistant body. Its specs include a 24 MP sensor, 1080p video capture, an articulating 3-inch display, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The camera features a dedicated selfie button, sensor-level shake reduction tech, and a stereo microphone. However, being a Pentax product, it lacks the lens ecosystem that bigger competitors can offer.

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3
Canon EOS Rebel T7i DSLR Camera

The Canon EOS Rebel T7i has an advanced 24.2 MP image sensor and image processor, as well as a fast dual-pixel autofocus. The rest of its long list of key features includes 1080p video capture at 60 fps, a sharp and fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity. The camera's lens features optical image stabilization, but its body does not.

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4
Nikon D3400 DSLR Camera

Nikon's entry-level D3400 delivers arguably the best still image quality in a sub-$500 camera. It has a 24.2 MP image sensor that's also capable of capturing 1080p video at a brisk 60 fps. Other camera highlights include a 3-inch display, zippy autofocus, burst shooting, and a plethora of lenses to choose from post-purchase.

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5
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 DSLR Camera

The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 is the most compact DSLR camera available on the market today. Its specs include a 24 MP sensor that can record 1080p video at 60 fps, a 3-inch articulating touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC (near-field communication) for one-touch pairing, and a vast selection of lenses. Because it's a compact offering, the SL2 lacks some of the external controls found in its rivals.

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6
Nikon D5600 DSLR Camera

The Nikon D5600 has the same 24.2 MP image sensor and image processor as the D3400 we just mentioned, and it adds more extensive external controls, a fully articulating 3.2-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, and outstanding battery life (up to 970 shots on a charge). The camera's body lacks image stabilization, but its bundled kit lens offers the handy feature. It's one of the best in its class.

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7
Sony Alpha SLT-A68 DSLR Camera

The Sony Alpha SLT-A68 packs a high-quality 24 MP image sensor, an excellent set of manual controls, and in-body image stabilization. Other key features of the camera include a tilting display, as well as a top-notch electronic viewfinder, which allows you to preview the exact shot before capture.